"That's the one, isn't it?" Renrou's voice was low, but there was an edge of awe. He had heard the stories before but had never asked for the details.
"Yeah," Nicolas replied softly, his eyes not leaving the page. "That's the Jagerbar. My first encounter with a Wesen."
Renrou fell silent as Nicolas turned to the second page. This one was more recent, and it pained him to look at it. The drawing on this page was larger, taking up almost the entire sheet. It was a grotesque combination of two creatures—a lion and a scorpion. The front half of the Wesen was that of a lion, with a muscular body and a mane that twisted like flames. Its jaws were open in a silent roar. The back half, however, was nightmarish, with a long, segmented tail arcing over its body, ending in a vicious stinger dripping with venom.
Nicolas' hand trembled slightly as he ran his fingers along the edge of the drawing. The memory was too raw, too fresh. This was the Wesen that had killed his father. Next to the drawing, the script was more hastily written, the ink smudged in places: menticore Wesen. Killed with the help of my mother, Elira. She sacrificed herself to save me and the village.
Renrou shifted uncomfortably beside him, sensing the weight of the memory. "You don't have to look at that," he said quietly, his voice softening for the first time since they'd entered the forest. "We've got enough to worry about without dragging up old wounds."
Nicolas shook his head, swallowing the lump in his throat. "It's not about the wounds," he murmured. "It's about remembering. If I don't, then all of this... everything she did... it would have been for nothing."
He turned the page again, and this time, the paper was blank. He stared at the empty space, feeling an odd sense of both anticipation and emptiness. In his ten years of life, he had only seen two types of Wesen: the Jagerbar and the menticore. This blank page was waiting for the next one, for the next monster he would face, and Nicolas knew it was only a matter of time before it would be filled.
Renrou glanced at the empty page and raised an eyebrow. "Guess you're due for another entry soon."
"Yeah," Nicolas said, closing the book slowly, the leather cover making a soft thud as it met the rest of the pages. He slid it back into his pack with careful precision, securing it tightly. "We'll see what this forest has in store for us."
As the night closed in around them, the quiet became oppressive. Nicolas looked up at the darkening sky, his mind already racing with the possibilities. The Gloamwood was known for its dangers, and if they were lucky—or unlucky—they would find what they were looking for.
****
The moon hung low in the sky, casting eerie shadows through the twisted branches of the Gloamwood. Nicolas and Renrou moved cautiously, their boots sinking into the damp earth with every step. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. They had been walking for hours, their senses on high alert for anything unusual. And then, it appeared.
A low growl echoed through the trees, sending shivers down their spines. Emerging from the darkness, a massive creature stepped into view. It resembled a wolf, but something was wrong—terribly wrong. Atop its head was a twisted, jagged horn, curving upward like a cruel spike. Its fur was matted and dark, almost blending with the night, and its eyes glowed with a sinister, unnatural light.
Nicolas froze, his hand instinctively gripping the spear. Renrou stood beside him, his body tense.
"What... is that?" Renrou whispered, his voice barely audible.
Nicolas shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving the creature. "I don't know. Could be a Wesen... or something else."
The beast snarled, baring its fangs, and in that instant, the decision was made for them. It charged, its powerful legs propelling it forward with terrifying speed.
Nicolas reacted first, throwing away the spear and drawing his sword with a sharp ring of steel. He stepped to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's lunge. The wolf-like creature twisted mid-air, its horn barely missing Nicolas' shoulder, and landed with a thud, kicking up dirt as it skidded to a stop.
Renrou was next. This time, He unsheathed his dagger instead of sword and threw it with practiced precision, aiming for the creature's throat. But the beast was faster than expected. It leaped again, dodging the blade and coming straight at Renrou.
"Move!" Nicolas shouted.
Renrou rolled to the side just in time, the beast's claws raking the air where his chest had been. He scrambled to his feet, but the creature was relentless. It swung its massive head, the horn slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Renrou barely managed to duck, feeling the wind of the strike brush his hair.
Nicolas charged from behind, bringing his sword down in a powerful arc aimed at the creature's hind leg. The blade connected with a sickening crunch, and the beast howled in fury and pain, its leg buckling slightly. But it wasn't done.
With a speed that defied its size, the wolf twisted around, slashing at Nicolas with one of its massive paws. He raised his sword just in time to block the blow, but the force sent him stumbling backward, his arms vibrating from the impact.
Renrou, seeing an opening, lunged forward with a second dagger, this time aiming for the beast's side. The blade sank into its flank, and the creature howled again, twisting in pain. But in its thrashing, it lashed out with its horn, catching Renrou across the arm.
Renrou cried out, stumbling back, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his fingers. The beast, sensing weakness, turned its attention fully to him.